K-12

Melissa Shang is only in 8th grade but she’s already written a highly-rated novel and led an online petition that went viral. The young, talented writer and wheelchair user recently wrote an opinion essay for the New York Times that defends her preference for a positive perspective while writing about characters with disabilities. Check out her essay ‘Stories About Disability Don’t Have to Be Sad’ by clicking here.

Journalists might find story ideas in three new sets of guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, which provide assistance in interpreting federal civil rights laws governing students with disabilities. Read more

While school choice is a major point of contention in this year’s presidential campaign, the practice in action is causing problems for students with intellectual disabilities in Mississippi. Read more

At a rally this week, a group of New York City parents and educators came together to call for changes to services for students with disabilities in the city’s schools, including faster evaluations for children with special needs. This comes after a report released by New York’s education department found many of the city’s students with disabilities are vastly underserved. Read more

About NCDJ

People with disabilities make up at least 19 percent of the U.S. population or 54.4 million people. The goal of the NCDJ is to provide support and guidance for journalists as they cover people with disabilities.

Newsletter

Disability Reporting Contest

More than 150 journalists from around the world entered the 2018 Ruderman Awards for Excellence in Disability Reporting. The NCDJ received entries from the United States, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Philippines, Zambia, Egypt, Somalia, Nigeria, Spain, and Ghana.

Facebook Live

Author Amy Silverman talks about her book, "My Heart Can't Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love and Down Syndrome", as well as reporting on disability, and media representation.